YourITronics » 555

555 Contest

Florin — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:27:12 +0000

Jeri Ellsworth and Chris Gammell are preparing the 555 Contest. Not enough details released yet but you can suggest your own ideas for contest categories. It should get pretty interesting as the contestants struggle to be creative with a 555. Maybe you’re asking how many 555 based ideas can be ? I’m sure this contest will show us allot

555 Simple Metronome

Florin — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:02:57 +0000

“A metronome is any device that produces a regulated audible and/or visual pulse, usually used to establish a steady beat, or tempo, measured in beats-per-minute (BPM) for the performance of musical compositions. It is an invaluable practice tool for musicians that goes back hundreds of years.”(wikipedia about metronome)

Basically the project consists of 3 resistors, 2 capacitors, 2 led’s, a speaker and the 555 IC so its not much that can go wrong. I recommend this project to beginners, you can either fabricate a PCB for it or just assemble it on a breadboard.

555 Simple Metronome: [Link]

IC 4520 Binary Counter

Florin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:36:22 +0000

This is a Binary Counter based on 555 timer and 4520 CMOS integrated circuit.The circuit looks simple and easy to build ,but with a simple modification you can turn your circuit into device that works like high tech dice.Rather then throwing dice to create a number you can use your 4520 to create random numbers between 0 and 15.

IC 4520 Binary Counter: [Via] – [Link]

Playing with ignition coils

Florin — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:55:38 +0000

Ignition coils are essentially pulse transformers. Transformers that work using pulses of current, instead of standard alternating current. These pulses that are applied to the primary coil are magnified and the voltage appearing from the secondary coil can be up to about 40kV.

To run the ignition coil outside of a car, specialised circuitry is required that produces pulses of voltage to the primary coil. A very common design (the 555 timer driving a MOSFET) can be used for that.

After putting everything together you can get some nice sparks out of that ignition coil, really cool effect.

Playing with ignition coils: [Link]